We're looking for cozy, friendly, informal, charming restaurants where we could have a very late lunch or a very early dinner, say between 3-6 p.m. Location in leftbank or around museums preferred. Any ideas?

Well, only a big brasserie with non stop service would serve your needs, or else a chain like Bistro Romain, because the small places will not serve complete meals between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Therefore, you can forget "cozy" unless you will settle for a croque monsieur or something along those lines.

Well while your topic says bistros, your post says restaurants, and you are indeed looking at brasseries for the late afternoon. I would recommend Brasserie Ille St. Louis - try the coq au riesling if they have it. Somewhat near the Musee Picasso is Bofinger, which is excellent as well and fits your bill.

You could have lunch all afternoon at Le Pain Quotidien, not far from the Louvre: the café is on the Place du Marché St-Honoré. Yummy soups and sandwiches, daily specials.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm open to just about any format -- bistro, brasserie, restaurant, cafe -- frankly I could use a refresher course on the difference.

We love the food in Paris, but we just don't like to have a big late meal every night when we travel. Sometimes a late breakfast and late lunch/early dinner is sufficient.

Le Procope has an early dinner menu which is quite a good deal. I think it starts around 6pm. and was about 25 euros. Food was good, setting is beautiful.

Brasseries are the only places for the time you want,
I second the Brasserie St Louis, there's usually a group playing on the bridge you can enjoy if you sit outside.

also the place that underhill mentions is a Euro chain. You may want to note where in Paris they are located. There are communal tables so you may meet people.

Paris, Saint Honoré

18, place du Marché Saint Honoré

F-75001 Paris
Tel.: 01 42 96 31 70


Paris, Bourse
33, rue Vivienne
F-75002 Paris
Tel.: 01 42 36 76 02


Paris, Montorgueil
2 rue des Petits Carreaux
F-75002 Paris
Tel.: 01 42 21 14 50


Paris, Marais
18-20, rue des Archives
F-75004 Paris
Tel.: 01 44 54 03 07


Paris, Mouffetard
138 rue Mouffetard
F-75005 Paris
Tel.: 01 55 43 91 99